Perdue to cut jobs as Indiana plant eliminates shift
Nearly 300 workers in Washington, Indiana are being laid off
USA – Perdue Farms is reducing operations at its turkey plant in Washington, Indiana, with 293 employees expected to lose their jobs.
The company said it will shut down the second production shift at the facility on October 10, 2025, a move it attributed to shifts in consumer demand, smaller turkey supplies, and adjustments in production methods.
A Perdue spokesperson said the change is intended to improve efficiency at the Washington plant, which has struggled in recent years under market pressures.
The spokesperson added that while the decision was not taken lightly, the company intends to provide assistance to workers affected by the layoffs.
Notification of the layoffs was sent to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Washington Mayor David Rhoads in a letter signed by plant operations director Colby Rigg.
In the letter, Rigg confirmed the cuts would be permanent and explained that although the last day on the line would be October 10, official separation from employment would occur on November 2.
While nearly 300 jobs will be lost in Washington, Perdue confirmed that its other Indiana businesses, including a feed mill, hatchery, grain receiving site, and breeder operations, will not be impacted.
The company also clarified that no farms in the state would be shuttered as part of the reduction.
The downsizing at Perdue’s Washington facility is part of a wider contraction in U.S. turkey processing capacity this year.
Cargill previously shut its turkey operation in Springdale, Arkansas, and Foster Farms ended production at its Turlock, California, plant.
Butterball also closed its turkey further-processing facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas, reducing options for growers and workers in those regions.
Perdue ranks as the seventh-largest turkey producer in the United States.
The company processed 298 million pounds of turkey over the past year, making it a significant player in the sector despite the current cutbacks.
Perdue also maintains a major presence in broiler chicken and feed production, ranking fifth and ninth nationwide in those categories, respectively.
The layoffs in Indiana reflect a difficult year for turkey processors nationwide, as companies adjust capacity to match a market facing both reduced flocks and changing consumer buying patterns.
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